Audit report: irregularities of Rs23.29 bn detected in KP

PESHAWAR: Auditor General for Pakistan (AGP) has detected irregularities worth of Rs23.291 billion in only 8.3% audited expenditures of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government during the financial year 2016-17. The auditor general has audited only an expenditure of Rs40.319 billion out of total expenditure of Rs482.465 billion.

According to audit report recovery of Rs8,256.039 million was pointed out; however, the recovery of Rs276.954 million was affected during the year 2016.17 at the time of compilation of report.

The AGP has pointed out that poor financial control resulted in embezzlement, fraudulent and unauthorised payment, losses and misappropriation of government funds. “The principal accounting officers should evaluate the existing internal controls and reinforce these controls in the offices and organisations working under their control,” report added.

According to report doubtful withdrawal on account of Hot & Cold of Rs1.899 million was noticed in one case of the Administration Department. The department had purchased charcoal which was not justified because charcoal was not used in the office of secretary administration as electricity and gas heaters are installed since long. Embezzlement of Rs50.287 million was noticed in three cases. Excess payment of Rs24.671 million was noticed in two cases. Expenditure in excess without allocation of Rs1,901.174 million was noticed in two cases.

Report further added that fraudulent payment of Rs11.115 million was noticed in one case. Less credit of government share of Rs122.434 million was noticed in another case. Loss of Rs1,106.565 million was noticed in 29 cases. Misappropriation of receipt on account of traffic tickets/ auction desk shops/ sale of shops of Rs117.93 million were noticed in two cases. Non-availability of the project vehicles of Rs13.526 million was noticed in one case.

“Non-deduction of DPR, House Rent etc of Rs42.459 million was noticed in 4 cases. Non deposit of government revenue of Rs66.696 million was noticed in 4 cases. Non-production of record of Rs4,092.425 million was noticed in 4 cases. Non-recovery of outstanding dues of Rs7,802.619 million was noticed in 16 cases .Non-supply of fertilizer of Rs120.684 million was noticed in a case. Non-surrender of saving of Rs25.443 million was noticed in another case. Non-utilization of (Medical Relief) of Endowment fund of Rs540.273 million was noticed in one case,” the audit report further disclosed

It said that overpayment of Rs240.122 million was noticed in 16 cases. Unauthorised payment of Rs62.939 million was noticed in four cases. Unjustified expenditure of Rs3.994 million was noticed in one case. Un-reconciled expenditure of Rs3,762.331 million was noticed in one case. Wasteful expenditure of Rs3,181.434 million was noticed in one case.

According to report a total of Rs4121.257 irregularities found in education department in different cases. This amount was detected in non-production of record, embezzlement, fraudulent drawl of funds. Furthermore, Rs4092.316 million irregularities were detected in Mines and Mineral Department, while Rs225.741 were found in Forest Department in different cases. The officials said that it is an audit report and can be reconciled in due course of time.